Sexual habits and the “morning-after pill”
Hormonal emergency contraception is effective up to five days after unprotected intercourse. However, it is more effective if used within 72 hours.‘Making emergency hormonal contraception available over the counter does not seem to have led to increased use, with an increase in unprotected sex, or a decrease in the use of more reliable methods of contraception,’ write Marston and colleagues.
The investigations focused on contraceptive use, with specific questions about emergency contraception.
The study does not cover women under 16 years. But these women are not entitled to purchase pills, researchers say.
Levels of income and education were related to the probability of using the pills. There was not enough participants to monitor the use of white ethnic group.
Single women and young women were both three times more likely to use the ‘morning after’ pill. However, more than half of the users of the pill ‘- 53percent in three years – were more than 25 years.
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Emergency contraception can prevent temporarily blocking eggs are produced, by stopping fertilization, or keeping a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus.
So say researchers including Cicely Marston, lecturer in social sciences and public health at Imperial College London.
Make emergency ‘morning after’ pill available over the counter has not changed contraceptive use or unprotected sex in the United Kingdom
Data are from three surveys. Approximately 7600 women aged 16-49 participated.
